The military is probably the place that believes in power the most in the world, and it is also the easiest to be impressed by the strong, so they are admired.
In the following days, Li Shimin would fire an arrow every morning when he left the military tent where he lived. He would fire another arrow after the training in the morning and before eating. No words were needed. The soldiers admired him and the military spirit naturally surrendered.
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but said: "As the saying goes, a peach or a plum without words will lead to its own success. Why should a truly unparalleled strong man insist on the power of words?"
The rest of the people also agreed: "That's exactly it."
Li Shimin did not just practice military formation tactics. He often led people to conduct real-life exercises near Dezhou every now and then. In times of great chaos, bandits were everywhere, and there were many people who gathered to cause chaos and lived near Dezhou. He successively led his troops one by one Cut it off to stabilize public order.
At the same time, he discussed with Wei Xuancheng to try his best to restore farming in Texas and reduce taxes.
Wei Xuancheng looked at him meaningfully: "Don't the people want to resume farming? Nowadays, most of the adult men have been forcibly recruited into the army. There are mostly women, children and elderly people in the fields. Even if there are strong men, they are still there. Those who dare not show up, as for taxes...the inherent quotas have been cut, but where does His Highness the King of Wei come from to raise enough military expenses?"
Li Shimin said sternly: "Now that the King of Wei has hundreds of thousands of troops, it is more than enough to conquer the rebels. What's the point of going to Dezhou, which has been drained of all its recruiting potential, to capture people? What's the use since ancient times? , which general is always victorious because of strength in numbers!"
"As for taxation, people's livelihood is in decline today. Although Texas is a prosperous place, it is also in danger. If we continue to impose excessive taxes, wouldn't it be like killing the goose that lays eggs? Even if we can get temporary satisfaction, we will ruin the infinite possibilities of the future!"
He immediately made up his mind: "In my name, I order that all adult men and women in Texas have their own land. Before this autumn harvest, no troops will be recruited here, and taxes will be reduced to the level before the rebellion!"
Someone next to him said with an expression of embarrassment: "Once this matter comes out, the general is afraid that he will really sever himself from the King of Wei."
At that time, Yu Yingying was on the side, and he smiled after hearing this: "If you don't plan for the overall situation, you can't plan for a region; if you don't plan for the world, you can't plan for a moment. You just think that you are afraid of offending the king of Wei. , but they don’t know that only by doing this can all the people of Texas return to their hearts.”
The man looked puzzled.
Xiao Mingze said: "The land of Shandong has always been settled and relocated. They have lived here for generations, and they are not willing to leave their homeland. But if they reach the point of exhaustion, it will be difficult even if they don't want to leave."
She explained warmly: "Now that Li Changshi has given them stability, they can continue to farm, maintain the status quo before the war, clear out the bandits around them, and reform the official system. If they leave here, where will they go?" What better place to live than here?”
"The King of Wei conscripts troops, which requires force and coercion, but if Li Changshi conscripts troops... without even saying anything, the people will spontaneously take up arms and take to the streets, not only to protect Dezhou, but also to protect Dezhou. It’s also to protect their own stable life!”
Everyone admired him: "The long-term vision of history is beyond our reach!"
…
Li Shimin estimated the time. The documents about Qian Lun's death and King Ji's rebellion had probably been sent to King Wei's case at this time. Coupled with his recent activities in Dezhou, he was afraid that it wouldn't be long before King Wei Then we need to send people to raise troops to investigate the crime.
With such calculations, he was also prepared for the worst. Unexpectedly, long before King Wei's attack, Dezhou's detailed operations in Qingzhou sent news - the imperial court had launched troops against Qingzhou!
Even though it was Li Shimin, he was stunned when he heard the news. After he came to his senses, he unfolded the map to look at it, and he was puzzled - the rebels had not been eliminated, and no matter how spiteful the king of Wei was, he was still the same as the emperor and the emperor. They are descendants of the Li family, why are they all fighting among themselves?
Teng Zhong was even more surprised and said: "The Mao family is still watching eagerly from the north. No matter how worried the emperor is about the King of Wei, there is no need to take action now, right?"
Li Shimin was silent.
Wei Xuancheng asked a very crucial question: "What is the name of the emperor's use of troops against the king of Wei, and who is the general?"
Na Xizuo replied: "The Emperor is ill and misses his younger brother. The Emperor urgently summons the King of Wei to go west. The King of Wei hesitates. The Emperor accuses him of evil intentions and launches an army in anger. As for the general... he is Li Qiao, who has become famous recently. "
Li Qiao? !
When the familiar name hit their ears, Li Shimin and Xiao Mingze looked at each other with awed expressions.
…
A few days ago.
Wu Mansion.
After a brief communication with her uncle, Wu Cuicui wiped away her tears and ordered people to control the Wu family. She then sent her confidants to ask for reliable widowers to come for an autopsy. Finally, she did not forget to ask people to invite a few more doctors.
This decision caused an unexpected uproar in the Wu family.
Qin was furious and could no longer maintain the mask of warmth: "Are you crazy?! Looking at the imperial capital, where has there been any precedent like this? Let those low-level people come to do an autopsy on your mother. Are you afraid of her? Is it too peaceful to go away?!”
"Sister," she gritted her teeth bitterly: "You have been having your way all your life. If you want it to be good or bad, how about you let me have it for once? You are the daughter-in-law of the Li family, and you are a husband-in-law. Outsiders can’t laugh at you, but what about us?!”
Mrs. Qin wished she could open her chest and vomit all her pain to her: "We will still have to live in the Wu family and be human beings from now on!"
The uncle stood aside silently, and the ninth princess still said nothing. Wu Erlang was in a dilemma. Qin looked around, feeling helpless and helpless: "Why, you are all deaf, blind, and mute. Only Can I have a mouth all by myself?!"
She pushed her husband again: "Speak!"
Wu Erlang looked embarrassed, hesitantly came to his sister's side, and whispered: "Cui Cui, why do you need to make the matter so big?"
Wu Cuicui just pointed at Mrs. Wu's body and asked him: "What do you call that person?"
Wu Erlang moved his lips and said seriously: "That is our biological mother."
Wu Cuicui asked again: "If my mother was harmed by others and died in vain, would you care about it?!"
Wu Erlang's expression changed obviously: "How could it be possible? We are all members of our own family, who can do such a thing..."
Wu Cuicui said sternly: "Let me ask you, if my mother was harmed by others and died in vain, would you care about it?!"
Wu Erlang looked at his sister steadily, and finally nodded vigorously: "I want to take care of it!"
"Okay," Wu Cuicui finally showed a touch of relief on her face: "My mother-in-law didn't support us two in vain."
A group of people sat in silence in their seats, and the atmosphere was frighteningly stagnant. The maids gingerly brought tea to them, but no one took a sip.
After an unknown amount of time, someone finally brought Wu Zuo over and went inside to pay homage to the nobles. Wu Cuicui first said to herself: "Go and do the autopsy. No matter what the result is, just care about it. I'm telling you, I'll give you a sum of money afterwards, and then I'll send someone to send your whole family away from here, and I'll make sure you're safe."
Everyone's expressions changed again.
The man said respectfully: "The villain's life was saved by General Li. How dare you not be dedicated?"
After another apology, he approached Mrs. Wu's body and asked someone to remove the scarf covering her head and face. After a brief glance, her face darkened slightly.
He put on his gloves, opened Mrs. Wu's eyelids and lips, and observed her eyeballs and tongue. Finally, he asked the nanny who was helping Mrs. Wu to dress up. Finally, he went in front of everyone and whispered: "According to Xiao Xiao, From what people have observed, Madam is not at the end of her life, but she died of poisoning!"
Everyone in the hall changed their expressions.
The doctor who had been invited back earlier also said back: "I have seen the prescriptions prescribed by the imperial doctors before, and I have also tested the dregs of the medicine. They are all warm and tonic medicines, and there are no mistakes or omissions."
Wu Cuicui's eyes were filled with anger, and she looked directly at Wu Erlang: "Now that things have come to this, what else can I say, brother?!"
Since Wu Erlang heard Wu Zuo say that his mother died of poisoning, he stayed on the spot. At this time, he was questioned by his sister again. After regaining consciousness, he was sweating: "I, I... I really didn't know beforehand... …”
Wu Cuicui had no intention of listening to these nonsense: "Now that the reason has been found, shouldn't this case be investigated carefully? Let's see if there is an outsider or an insider in our family!"
There was no color on Wu Erlang's face. He thought for a few moments and looked at his wife Qin in disbelief.
Mrs. Qin's hair stood on end at the sight of him. Everyone's eyes fell on her, and she immediately said: "What does it have to do with me? Do you think I did this?!"
The Ninth Princess said calmly: "We didn't say anything. We are just younger siblings. Weren't you the one who danced the most before? After my mother fell ill, it was you who controlled the important affairs of the government under the banner of the clan wife. The entry and exit of personnel, as well as internal and external purchases, all have to pass through your hands."
Mrs. Qin said angrily: "Don't spit on others with blood! How could I poison my mother-in-law? Why do I need to do such a thing?!"
The Ninth Princess snorted and said indifferently: "But I remember that my siblings have long been dissatisfied with their mother's regard for Cuicui and his wife, and they were even scolded by their mother several times because of this, right?"
Mrs. Qin's face was green and white, and she didn't say anything for a long time. When she looked at her husband, his eyes were red, and he looked at her with a look of anger on his face. His throat became sore, and tears fell down. .
"I am a human being and I have emotions and desires. Can't I have my own demands and biases?"
She pointed at Wu Cuicui and said in a hateful voice: "You are my aunt's sweetheart and obey me in everything. Am I not the apple of my parents' eyes? You forced the Crown Prince of Wei to marry you, and the emperor issued an edict. It's not a good thing, but Just because my sister couldn't get ahead of my brother, and my wedding date was forced to be moved forward a year, I got married so hastily, shouldn't I hate you?!"
Wu Cuicui was speechless. After a long while, she finally said: "I was young and frivolous at that time... It is true that I can't forgive you. If my sister-in-law is not angry, I can kowtow to you in public to apologize, but this is definitely not what you did in the house. Reasons for others to do evil."
"Do evil? What evil can I do?"
Mrs. Qin smiled mockingly: "I am planning this and that, is it all for myself? Although my sister-in-law has lost her husband, she still has her father and brother alive. As long as the dynasty does not fall, there will always be a place for her to live. , where is our family?"
"The husband, as a son-in-law, cannot hold the house, and the wife, as the wife of the clan, cannot be in charge of the household affairs. They said that I should be in charge of the house, but before my mother fell ill, had I ever had the power to take over the house? In addition, the children are young. I am ignorant and ignorant. If I don’t fight for it, am I going to wait for my whole family to drink the northwest wind?!"
When Wu Erlang heard her sad accusation, he couldn't help showing a bit of shame on his face, but even so, he would not forget the root cause of this dispute: "Did your mother's death really have nothing to do with you? !”
"You're a coward, you don't dare to ask others, but you dare to bully me!"
Mrs. Qin glared at him angrily and swore to the sky: "If I am the one who did this, I will be struck by five thunderbolts and I will die miserably!"
Wu Erlang held her shoulders and squeezed out words one by one through his teeth: "I swear together with the children that if this is really what you did, the children and I will die in the rebellion. If you hit, you won’t be able to kill your whole body!”
Wu Cuicui and the Ninth Princess watched with cold eyes. Their husband, who was supposed to be on the same side as them, actually said such cruel words. The Qin family was attacked from both sides and felt as uncomfortable as having their heart and liver removed.
She pushed Wu Erlang away, gritted her teeth and said, "If I lie, all of you in the Wu family will die and go to the eighteenth level of hell, and none of them will be reincarnated!"
Then he cursed "coward!" and turned away.
Wu Erlang was pushed by her and staggered. Seeing this, he said angrily: "Stop! The matter has not been explained clearly yet -"
Ms. Qin didn't even look back: "If you ask me a thousand or ten thousand times about something I haven't done before, it still hasn't been done! If you don't believe it, just find someone to check it out. We've already reached this stage, and you still haven't done it. What’s there to be afraid of!”
Wu Erlang was furious: "You!"
The uncle was sullen and silent. The ninth princess sat aside with her head lowered. Wu Cuicui sent people to investigate the matter thoroughly, but they couldn't find out what the problem was.
In the end it was my uncle who said, "Since you've been through the corpse process, let your mother be buried in peace. The weather is getting hot, and there have been turmoils outside recently..."
Wu Cuicui made an inaudible "ah" sound.
That night, she and Wu Erlang knelt in the mourning hall to keep vigil. The two concubine sisters were originally going to be together, but she saw that they were young, so she had someone lead them back.
The slightly cold night wind blew outside the mourning hall, and white lanterns swayed on the flagpole.
Wu Cuicui was sending paper money into the brazier with an expressionless face. Suddenly, she heard her brother say next to her: "Cui Cui, do you think I am particularly useless?"
Wu Cuicui glanced at him, then withdrew her gaze, and continued her previous actions like a puppet.
Wu Erlang didn't care about her attitude. He kowtowed to Mrs. Wu three times and went to burn paper with his sister: "I also feel useless."
He said softly: "It would be nice if it was me who died at that time instead of my eldest brother."
There were moist tears in his eyes.
Wu Cuicui suddenly remembered how close she and this brother were in the past.
He was not as dignified as his eldest brother. Although his personality tended to be meek and cowardly, he was sometimes courageous. She begged him to take her out to meet Li Tianrong, but he actually took her and slipped out of the back door. go out……
Tears flowed all over my face unconsciously.
Wu Cuicui had no intention of wiping it.
Wu Erlang hesitated for a long time, but finally said: "Mother Wen... doesn't seem like someone who would do such a thing."
Wu Cuicui's heart, which was about to be relaxed, was frozen again in an instant.
But Wu Erlang continued: "She has always been a fiery person, with a sharp mouth and a tofu heart. If she is unhappy, she will show it on the spot. With such a temperament, she is actually easy to suffer, which makes people think that she She’s mean, but actually, she doesn’t have any bad intentions.”
"I was surprised when I first heard about what happened today, but after thinking about it carefully, she wouldn't do such a thing..."
Wu Cuicui no longer wanted to listen anymore.
"Who knows." She said: "Brother, do you really want to tell me this in my mother's funeral hall?"
Wu Erlang looked at his sister's expression, and was burned by these words again. Finally, his lips moved, and he never said anything again that night.
